December
8th – 21st, 2012The Fertile Void - An exhibition of new
works by Caitriona JacksonFoyer of the County Museum

Caitríona has been based in Ennis, Co.Clare since
2004 & has been painting for most of that time. She has had various
tutors & teachers along her path as an emerging artist, both formally
& informally. Her work has been influenced by the deep encounters
she was honoured to have over the course of her twenty year career as
a psychotherapist as well as by her own journeys into many aspects of
the healing arts. She now spends as much time as possible in her studio,
continuing to enjoy external input and striving for the delicate balance
between self exploration & communication that she considers essential
to her work.

The work in this exhibition is informed & inspired
by the inner world of emotional & spiritual process, by points of
connection with the collective unconscious, & ultimately by the ‘fertile
void’ from which acts of creation flow , rather than by objects
or scenes from visible reality.

A degree of intentional composition combined with the
texture & tactile quality produced by collage & layering of paint
acts as a container for, & gives form to inner process. Caitríona
allows the play of chance accidents & spontaneous mark making to facilitate
the energetic flow of the unconscious to take form on the canvas. She
uses colour & line to bring zest & immediacy to the work.

For further information contact Caitríona at 087
113 2503.

13th
December to 29th December, 2012‘VIEW” - an Art Exhibition of recent work by Mary
Fahy, Scariff Public Library Gallery.
Fahy’s most recent exhibition ‘View’ invites the observer
to enter into and respond to a variety of scenes. These paintings span
a range of media, from oil painting to acrylic, watercolour and mixed
media collage. Fahy explores colour and texture through highly individual
responses to her environment. Recurring themes include trees, coastline,
reflections, the play of light on land and sea. There is a sense of recollection,
of experience and of contemplation in her strongly developed pieces.

Originally from Galway, Fahy has been living in Ennistymon
since 2003. She studied art in the Limerick School of Art and Design graduating
in 2001 with a First Class Honours Degree in Fine Art Painting. She achieved
a First Class Honours in her H. Dip year in 2003, winning both the presitigious
Larkin Memorial Award and Irish Times Award in 2003.

Fahy was selected for the Young Contemporaries Exhibition
in the Belltable Arts Centre for her Degree Show and was also recipient
of the Collector General’s Award. She was twice shortlisted for
the Markievitcz Medal Painting Award. Since graduating Fahy has taught
art full time as head of the Art Department in Scoil Mhuire where she
has worked on many collaborative art projects funded by the Arts Office
of Clare County Council and Creative Engagement. She has exhibited widely,
her most recent show in Camac Arts Centre, France took place whilst on
an artist residency there in July 2012.

The exhibition opens on Thursday, December 13th, 2012
at 7pm and all are welcome to attend.

August
12th – October 5th9th Burren Annual Exhibition
Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan

All nine artists featured in this year's Burren Annual
exhibition are based in Derry city, Northern Ireland and they include
Paola Bernardelli, Damien Duffy, Sara Greavu, Conor Mc Feely, Locky Morris,
Blaine O'Donnell, Pascale Steven, and Susanne Stich. The exhbition will
feature video and object based work, painting and photography in a show
curated by Maoliosa Boyle, Director of Derry's Void Gallery. The exhibition
is kindly supported by Clare County Council. The Gallery will be open
from 9.30 - 5pm, Monday to Friday.

August
7th – September 1st, 2012.Exhibition of Paintings by Brian O'ShaughnessyGallery at Scariff Library

Brian O'Shaughnessy is 47 years old and originally from
Tuamgraney in Co.Clare. He attended Scarriff Community College and always
had an interest in art.

He attended Limerick College of Further Education and
completed FETAC Levels 5 and 6 in Art and Design in 2010 and 2011. While
in college, along with his fellow students he organised a very successful
exhibition in Limerick at which all proceeds were donated to charity.
The following year he also took part in a large exhibition in Limerick
College of Further Education. He now works full-time as an artist and
takes inspiration from many different sources, particularly the old masters,
especially Caravaggio. For further information contact Brian at mmnbos@eircom.net

Shannon Camera Club celebrates 35 years of photography
with the launch of phase three of their touring photographic exhibition.
With the success of the exhibition in the Seán Lemass Public Library
in Shannon, and in The Gallery at Scarriff Public Library, the exhibition
continues at Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee.

There are 49 exhibits from 30 of the clubs members, some
recently enrolled but others who have been with the club since the beginning.
From tentative beginnings in 1977, the club continues to attract new members
with others retiring, but the nucleus of interest continues in the personage
of club secretary Sheamus O’Donoghue, club treasurer Larry Stewart
and others who still get the buzz from capturing that elusive image which
causes passers by to stop and admire. The image is now captured digitally
whereas previously it was film, dark rooms, developing fluids and enlargers.
Photography today is much simpler, more time to concentrate on composition.
Because of the advances in photography it is much less expensive for the
amateur photographer to get involved, therefore it is a much more popular
activity today.

Also incorporated in the exhibition are a number of audio
visuals created by club members. Club chairperson Edwin Bailey explains,
“Audio Visual is a magical medium to work in, one can create sequences
of photographs with sound and voice over to tell a story, make a documentary,
record an event, or simply to portray ones feelings in a situation. What
ever emotion the mood or pace of the sequence dictates can be created
with a good script, appropriate music and subtle transitions from one
image to the next. The more creative the author, the more enjoyable the
sequence”, said Edwin.

The exhibitions to date have been very well received
in Shannon and Scarriff libraries and we hope it will also be frequently
visited in Kilkee. It will also be on display in Áras Chronáin,
Clondalkin, Co. Dublin during the National Audio Visual Championships
in October.

Shannon Camera Club is affiliated to the Southern Association
of Camera Clubs (S.A.C.C) and the Irish Photographic Federation (I.P.F.)
and participates in many of their associated events. The Club meets Monday
nights (except bank holidays) at 7.30pm in The Oakwood Arms Hotel, Shannon,
September to May. For further information see our web site www.shannoncameraclub.com

July
24th - August 11th‘Nothing to See Here’ - An exhibition of photography
by Seán McInerneyFoyer of the County Museum, Ennis

“Nothing to see here” is the follow on from
his very successful “Moments” exhibition held last year in
The Gallery, Scariff Public Library, Scarriff, Co. Clare by local amateur
photographer Seán McInerney.

Seán, who grew up close to the shores of Lough
Derg, has drawn quite extensively primarily from the beauty of his surroundings
in the picturesque area of East Clare and throughout the county and country.
Well known for playing hurling at all levels for
the local parish of Scarriff, he is continuing on a journey that started
off as a hobby and continues to grow. As can be seen from his works some
of which have won prizes in amateur and professional photography competitions,
one professional prize, and have appeared in a charity publication ‘In
The Picture Martin King’ for the Little Star Fund by Martin King
of TV3 Weather forecasting fame, Seán does not restrict himself
to his own local area but covers the entire county and country in his
efforts to capture these never to be repeated “Moments in Time”.
His works also include abstract images and others.

Through his work with Clare County Council, Seán
has also had the opportunity to photograph dignitaries such as President
Mary McAleese and more recently President Michael D Higgins at official
Council functions. His talents have also been called upon to photograph
a number of civic receptions where he shot many sporting and musical heroes
including Marcus Horan, Anthony Foley, Sharon Shannon and the Kilfenora
Ceilí Band.

This body of work “Nothing to See Here” is
Seán’s effort to display to all what is taken for granted
if we only take the time out to appreciate the world around us. As the
artist explains, “Nothing to see here” and previously “Moments”,
is how I like to refer to the wide ranging array of photographs I have
taken since I first got ‘the bug’ of going out in all sorts
of weather, sometimes at unsociable hours of the day and night in the
hopes of discovering the perfect photographic shot. “I hope that
the selection I am putting on display does no disappoint and will be an
inspiration to many people, young and old alike”.

‘Nothing to See here’ is on display in the
Foyer of the County Museum from July 24th - August 11th, 2012. Cllr. Pat
Hayes will officially open the exhibition on Saturday, July 28th at 2p.m.
All are welcome to attend.

In 'Wednesday Mornings', two North Clare based artists,
Christine Porter and Emma Stewart-Liberty, present drawings and paintings
created in the studio space they shared on Wednesday mornings during the
course of the last year.

Christine Porter's abstract landscapes exploit the full
gamut of colour from succulent, rich saturated pigment to the most subtle
tints, tones and shades. The sensuous character of materials such as charcoal,
graphite, watercolour crayon and paint, is enhanced by gestured mark-making
and the deep space of translucent and opaque layering, with the added
excitement of textural effects.

The work shown by Emma Stewart-Liberty results from her
lifelong interest in birds and documenting in particular those that visit
her garden throughout the year. The series 'Aves' consists of small works
on paper and board and uses a muted palette of earth tones.

Traditionally a folly can refer to buildings that are
so deliberately extravagant in decoration and form as to serve no normative
function. Instead they create escapist spaces of pleasure and mirth. Folly
can also refer to any behavior or action that would commonly be deemed
as foolish or lacking good sense. This exhibition seeks to question the
traditional function of the gallery in mediating the art experience, Drawing
inspiration from the gallery space itself, it augments that space by inserting
a whimsical, immersive, pleasurable installation that provokes a questioning
of the spaces we accept and a rethinking of what constitutes an aesthetically
rich environment. A folly can create physical and personal space for us
to transcend our habitus and re-situate ourselves and our aspirations.The
exhibition features a large spatial installation of paper and various
mixed media. Some additional works will be exhibited in the adjoining
small gallery.

Emily Mannion is an artist born in Donegal in 1985. She
graduated with a BA(hons) degree in Fine Art from the University of Huddersfield
in 2007. She completed a Digital Residency in Firestation Artist Studios
in 2010 and is currently undertaking a residency in Templebar Gallery
and Studios with the interdisciplinary group Terraform. Recent shows include
We had an idea about the future, 2012, NCH, Earlsfort Terrace Dublin;
Constellations, 2011, curated by Emma Lucy O’Brien, Visual Centre
for Contemporary Art, Carlow; Into a limbo..,200 Clonliffe road, 2011,
Dublin (2011); “Making do With Paper Planes”, Moxie Dublin
2011, Something tells me its all happening at the zoo”, 2010, in
the Kevin Kavanagh gallery, curated by Davey Moore. She currently lives
in Dublin.

Thomas O Brien is a young architect living and working
in Ireland. He received an Honours Bachelor Degree in Architecture in
2005 and holds a Professional Diploma (Architecture) through the Royal
Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), and University College Dublin
since May 2011. Upon achieving his professional qualifications in May
2011 he has begun practicing independently as totobArk. The work of totobArk
is varied and springs from a passion for all things formal and spatial,
be they small scale installations and art projects, to theater sets, to
building projects. totobArk is a critical practice, interested in empowering
our selves through developing our knowledge of space, habitat/habitus
and environment.

Kizito Kasule is a well known Ugandan painter and sculptor
who exhibits internationally. He is an alumnus of the MFA at Burren College
of Art, having graduated in 2005. Since graduating he has exhibited widely
including East Africa, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Australia, and France.
He has taught art at Makarere University in Kampala, Uganda for a number
of years and was recently appointed Head of Painting. He is also the founder
of Naganda International Academy of Art and Design, an art school near
Kampala that is inspired by his time at Burren College of Art. The paintings
are presented unstretched because of the prohibitive cost of air transport
from Uganda, and they can easily be put onto wooden stretchers by any
competent carpenter. Advice on stretching canvas is available from the
college on request. The exhibition will be open 9.30am-5pm Mondays to
Fridays until Friday 27th July 2012 at The Gallery, Burren College of
Art, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. Tel: (065) 7077200 for further details.

Maureen Glynn, a well established painter in West Clare,
is having a solo exhibition of paintings at Cultúrlann Sweeney,
Kilkee that celebrates nature in all its’ stunning glory.

Originally from the UK, Maureen is an art teacher who
has taken up painting seriously since
moving to Kilkee seven years ago. Since then she has been teaching painting
in Kilkee to both children and adults and her work is very well known
in the West Clare area. She enjoys painting nature in all its amazing
forms, using various media such as pen and wash, watercolour, acrylic
and oils.

Inspiration comes from the seashore in west Clare and
places visited on holiday abroad. This exhibition features a variety of
stunning and colourful new works and is sure to please the crowds visiting
the gallery over the summer months.

The exhibition runs from July 11th – August 3rd,
2012 and everyone is welcome to the launch at 6pm

On Wednesday, July 18th at 6p.m. Maureen will participate
in the very popular ‘Meet the Artist’ series when she will
give a talk on her work and answer any questions on her work and inspiration.
Again, this event is free and all are very welcome.

Philip Brennan is a landscape painter from Clare. His work reflects a
deep relationship with the land, the passing year and the creatures, flora
and people that inhabit it. Philip has two publications ‘ Clare
‘ and ‘Wanderings ‘ Both books are a combination of
painting and text. Exhibition opening takes place on June 19th, 2012 at
6p.m. All are welcome. A meet the artist session takes place on Wednesday
June 27th, 2012. All are welcome to come and meet Philip to discuss his
process of working, the materials he uses and his inspirations and answer
any questions you may have about his work.

June
5th - 16thEnnis VTOS Students Exhibition
Foyer of the County Museum

An exhibition of art & design and graphic design work by Ennis VTOS
students. The VTOS course runs for 2 years and students gain a FETAC Level
5 certificate in either Art, Craft and Design or Graphic Design. Subject
modules include Drawing, Painting, Design, Graphic Design, Photography
and Sculpture.
The course can prepare students for employment, self-employment or for
further study at a third level college or university.
The course is run by Co. Clare VEC Adult & Community Education Service.

May 5th -31stBurren in Bloom
Russell Gallery, New Quay

This May Bank Holiday week end the Russell Gallery
is launching an exhibition of paintings called ‘Burren in Bloom’
part of the events of the Ballyvaughan annual May Festival. The show will
kick off on Saturday 5 of May at 6pm and will be opened by Brian Mooney,
renowned author and Burren connoisseur.
This is collection of work by Manus Walsh, Gordon D’Arcy, Hilary
Molloy, Leueen Hill & Patricia Kavanagh that will celebrate the arrival
of spring inthe Burren: paintings and botanical
drawings will come together for an inspiring insight of this unique and
dramatic landscape with its mountains, the rocks, the sea, its flowers
and the wild life. All the artists involved are local and share a deep
understanding of the environment of the Burren and their competent artistic
merits are well known in the area and beyond. Don’t
miss this opportunity to visit the Burren and the Russell Gallery, now
also open with coffee, teas and wine bar. For more details visit the website
russellgallery.net or call 065-7078185.

This year’s Embrace exhibition which opens in glór, Ennis
on Thursday 3rd May, marks ten years of the Clare Arts Office initiative
to help local people with disabilities access the arts.

Many of the founder groups including the Brothers of Charity, Enable Ireland
and the Dulick Centre continue to regularly take part in the twice-yearly
programme of workshops which are part funded by the Arts Council, Clare
County Council, and the groups themselves.

Since its launch in 2002, the Embrace Programme has helped many hundreds
of participants from throughout the county to enjoy a wide variety of
creative activities including painting & drawing; ceramics; textiles;
mosaics; music; dance and drama.

The exhibition has become an annual celebration of achievement and includes
colourful and original pieces that are full of joy.
Emphasis in the regular workshops is always on enjoying creativity and
it is clear to see this expressed in the beautiful work on display in
glór until the end of May.

Mayor of Clare Councillor Pat Hayes will officially open the exhibition
at 2.30pm on Thursday 3rd May at a special celebratory event for exhibitors.

The annual end of year Art show by the FETAC Level 5
and 6 students of Ennistymon Vocational School is opening this Thursday
April 26th at 7pm.

The exhibition is a culmination of the years work. The
title and theme of the exhibition is 'Depth' which represents the many
ways the students looked at their art this year.

depth n 1 the extent, measurement or distance from top
to the bottom, from the inner to the outer, downwards, backwards, or inwards.
2 intensity of thought or objects, emotion, silence colour etc. 3 the
intellectual ability to penetrate deeply into ideas.

The collection demonstrates the self expression and skills
development of the course participants and this is clearly seen in the
variety and exploration of media and subject matter. Ceramics, sculpture,
textiles, painting and drawing unite to make an eclectic, bold and exciting
body of work.

The FETAC Level 5 and 6 Art course in Ennistymon is a
full time course running from September to May each year. It is open to
anyone who has an interest in, and wishes to expand their knowledge and
skills in art. The course is always well subscribed and appeals to both
mature students and school leavers who wish to explore their creativity
or embark on art as a career. If you are interested in joining the group
this September contact Ennistymon Vocational School on 065 7071375 http://www.artroomennistymonvs.blogspot.com/

Saturday
May 12th to Saturday June 2ndWhat Do You See When You Look At Me?
The Gallery, Burren College of Art,

“What do you see when you look at me?”, a
collaboration between the Burren College of Art and IMMA’s National
Programme, is an art exhibition specifically designed for a younger audience.
The aim of the exhibition is to encourage this audience (mainly primary
school level) to engage with the world of modern art, by putting it on
their doorstep and facilitating interaction through a series of guided
workshops, led by the educational team at IMMA. Using selected works from
the permanent IMMA collection, the exhibition seeks to raise questions
about self representation or representation of the other.

National schools from the Burren area have been invited
to participate in the facilitated workshops which will run in conjunction
with the exhibition, giving the children the opportunity not only to learn
more about the work but also to respond to the pieces on display.

The exhibition is kindly supported by Clare County Council
Arts Office, Flogas and Logues Lodge, Ballyvaughan. It will run in The
Gallery, Mon - Sat from May 12th to June 2nd.

23rd
April to 12th May‘Pure and simple colour’ by The Inis Artists
The Gallery at Scariff Library, Exhibition of New Paintings

Inis Artists are delighted to announce their Exhibition
at ‘The Gallery at Scariff library from 23rd of April to the 12th
of May 2012. Indeed, this is their second Exhibition at this venue.
The fifteen Clare based artists have over forty paintings on exhibit in
a variety of styles and mediums comprising of landscapes, streetscapes,
seascapes and figurative works including many Clare and Connemara scenes,
in many mediums including oils, watercolours and acrylics.

There are a wide variety of works produced, representing
the diverse techniques and versatility of the group. Captivating scenes
from everyday and country life feature with titles such as “Little
Donkey “and “Road through the Bog”. Enchanting summer
fruits and floral pieces depicting the delights of the season, Eye-catching
tree subjects in autumnal tones captured on canvas are also on display”.

The society was formed to promote visual art not only in Clare but in
the province of Munster and to this end have exhibited widely in many
counties. The membership is limited to 15 members The Inis Artists members
consist of both professional and highly talented amateur artists. Some
of the well-known artists include Tom Daly Newmarket on Fergus, Margaret
Ray Lahinch, Tomás O‘Maoldomhnaigh Ennis, Sonia Schorman,
Dick Burke, Alan Shoosmith, Gerardine O’Leary. The artists all accept
commissions including portrait work and would be delighted to discuss
any potential paintings.

The Exhibition is well worth a visit with all work reasonably priced and
something to suit all tastes.

The works of the Inis Artists can be seen on their website www.inisartists.com

April
14th - 27thKorporeal, a student show
Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan, Co.Clare

Korporeal, a student show featuring at the Burren College of Art Gallery,
is proud to present the international Masters of Fine Arts students Haynes
Goodsell, Angelalynn Dunlop and Arianna Garcia-Fialdini in their graduate
exhibition The exhibition will run until Friday the 27th of April, 2012.

American artist Haynes Goodsell, known for his seductive
self-portraits, will be displaying video and photography work in which
he focuses on the male form and its portrayal within the media and
advertising. He uses his own body to focus on how it has affected his
own image, in a way to both subvert and emulate these mainstream representations
of the masculine physique. Goodsell has shown in both Ireland and the
US.

Chicago based performance artist Angelalynn Dunlop has exhibited and performed
in both Ireland and the US. She will be displaying video documentations
of her poetic performances involving the body’s endurance as well
as emotional expression. She uses her body in this fashion to interpret
her own interior landscapes and memories, and then allows the viewers
to project their own histories upon her actions. She will also be doing
a live performance at the opening.

Mexican Painter Arianna Garcia-Fialdini will be displaying a set of politically
charged mixed-media drawings as well as a series of life-sized murals
that comment on the current situation in Northern
Mexico, involving the murders of thousands of female factory workers.
Garcia’s sensitive and controversial subject matter is represented
directly onto the gallery walls, and scales them
larger-than-life. Garcia has shown in Mexico, Canada, and Ireland throughout
the past 8 years.

The title Korporeal applies to each of these artists in various ways.
Goodsell’s work makes a direct reference to the male body, allowing
him to transform his audience through this intricate exploration. Angelalynn
Dunlop uses her body as a vehicle to express philosophical and theoretical
possibilities, frameworks and limitations. Garcia-Fialdini’s work
is a direct protest and social commentary on the
treatment of the female body in the specific region of Northern Mexico,
and the catastrophic and very real side-effects that the current drug
war is leaving behind.

Also showing will be the works of this semester’s first year MFA
and undergraduate students, which will be held throughout the Burren College
of Art campus.

The images in this series mark the third and final part
of an extended two year project begun in 2009, firstly with women from
Clare Women’s Network, based in Ennis and later through field research
at women’s shelters in the Clare-Limerick area. The initial stages
of this project were supported by the Create Artist in the Community scheme
and produced with the assistance of the Irish Arts Council. For this exhibition
at Glor I am presenting 12 tableaux images first shown at the RHA Ashford
in Nov-Dec 2011. In addition there are 12 contemporary portraits of mothers
and daughters, presented here for the first time.

Thematically this work explores the regenerative potential
of mother-daughter relationships, both individually and collectively.
My starting point was the ancient Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone,
an archetypal account describing abduction, descent into darkness and
subsequent escape, regeneration and recovery through the strength of the
mother-daughter bond. My decision to use this allegorical device to describe
an often complex psychological process experienced by victims of abuse,
was inspired by real life responses to the question “What was the
turning point for you? ”. In using this metaphorical, even poetic
method my intention is to both preserve a necessary annonymity and also
deconstruct archetypal patterns of human behaviour. I am also hoping to
suggest a transformative potential or an alternative within events which
are often ignored, regarded as inevitable or considered hopeless. The
individual portraits of contemporary mothers and daughters were created
as a counterbalance to the darker undertones of the theme. They bring
an ancient story into the present day context, while also offering alternative
icons of hope. All subjects pictured in these works are volunteers from
Clare Women’s network and the local community. As the work grew
through research and collaboration with individuals primarily from Ennis
and County Clare, I feel it is important to bring this work back to the
community from which it began, for an exhibition at Glor.

Martina Cleary is Dublin born photographer, currently
based in County Clare. Having studied at NCAD Dublin and The Crawford
College of Art & Design Cork, she completed her graduate studies at
The Academy of Fine Arts and The University of Art & Design, Helsinki.
Beginning in the early 90’s, her work has been shown and collected
in Ireland, Finland and Germany. Recent shows and awards in Ireland have
included; ‘Turning Point’, a solo exhibition at the RHA Ashford
in Nov-Dec 2011, The Irish Arts Council Project Award 2010, the Create
– Phase I Award 2010, the Roscommon Art@Work Residency 2009, EV+A
2008 (selected) at Limerick City Gallery, ‘Impressions’ 2008
All Ireland Print Show (First Prize) at Galway Arts Centre. Her work has
also been supported by Clare County Council, The Finnish Arts Council,
The Finnish Cultural Foundation, The Finnish Institute in London and a
number of other regional Arts organizations in both Ireland and Finland.
Alongside her work as an artist she is also Head of Photography at Burren
College of Art and Associate Tutor in the Dept. of Print at Cardiff School
of Art & Design.

30th
March'Out of the Blue' – an exhibition of paintings by Ann Daly
Quay Arts, Ballina/Killaloe

Ann Daly native of Limerick now living in Clonlara Co,
Clare studied Fine Art at the College of Marketing and Design, Dublin
1992 mentored by one of Irelands leading contemporary artists Patrick
Graham. Ann's earlier paintings were inspired by childhood memory and
more recently abstract seascapes of West Clare and snapshots of running
water working in thick oil palette knife. Her involvement in the art world
has increased over the last few years as Chairperson of the Derg Art Group
and an organiser of the Art in Windows/Art Trial Brian Boru Festival in
Ballina/Killaloe every July.

February 28th – March 24th, 2012“Birds on the Shore and other photographs”Photographic exhibition by William Glynn
Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee. Co.Clare

The inaugural exhibition in the Gallery at the Cultúrlann
Sweeney, Kilkee, Co.Clare will be an exhibition of images from the West
Clare coastline by local photographer William Glynn.

Born in Kilrush and brought up in Kilkee, Co. Clare,
William Glynn spent most of his working life teaching in the UK. Returning
to Ireland on retirement his hobby, photography, became a serious pursuit.
He loves the stark beauty of the West Clare coastline with its ever changing
sea and sky and abundance of wild life. Impressed by Cartier-Bresson’s
idea of the significant moment he tries to capture these unrepeatable
fleeting instants. His previous exhibition in the Courthouse Gallery,
Ennistymon in May 2011 was well received.

Open
until 24th March 2012'Being in the Land: A Sculptural Investigation of Ecology'
An exhibition by Eileen Hutton
Burren College of Art

First PhD Studio Art exhibition at Burren College of
Art demonstrates innovative, collaborative and reciprocal relationship
between the artist and the natural environment.

'Being in the Land: A Sculptural Investigation of Ecology'
is an exhibition of work by PhD candidate Eileen Hutton. The first of
its kind at Burren College of Art, Eileen’s doctoral research addresses
the question “How may sculpture be generated as a result of a reciprocal
relationship with the natural environment?”

For the past 3 years Eileen Hutton has been collaborating
with the local ecology in the Burren to create innovative works of sculpture
using sustainable and locally sourced materials. Through an integrated
theoretical and practical framework, these sculptures represent new ways
of understanding landscape in art.

The representation of landscape as the central theme
in any work of art is ultimately the depiction of a relationship between
humanity and the natural environment. This doctoral research is a contribution
not only to the field of Environmental Art, but also a contribution to
landscape representation as it provides new ways of understanding humanity’s
relationship to the natural environment.

Talking about the work Hutton says “I wanted to
create art that had a beneficial impact on my surrounding environment,
more than that I wanted to create art in conjunction with my surrounding
environment. My enquiry has resulted in the creation of collaboratively
produced sculptures that contribute knowledge and understanding to the
fields of landscape representation and Environmental Art.”

Burren College of Art is located in the grounds of a
16th century castle in the Burren on the Atlantic coast. Tomorrow’s
artists are provided with focussed time free from distractions; dedicated
space to work; and inspiration taken from the unique location, an international
student body, and world class tutors. Accredited by the National University
of Ireland, Galway, Burren College of Art is operated in association with
the Royal College of Art, London and the School of the Art Institute of
Chicago.

President of the college Mary Hawkes-Greene says “The
presentation of the first PhD exhibition at the Burren College of Art
is a significant milestone in the development of the College. Representing
the highest level of academic achievement, Eileen’s PhD research
is inextricably linked with Place- exploring and offering new perspectives
on issues of sustainability in the Burren through the lens of the artist.
This work further develops the expanded mission of BCA as a Centre of
Creative Learning and a catalyst for development and change. We warmly
congratulate Eileen on her exhibition and achievement, the culmination
of intense research and steadfast application.”

A graduate of Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia,
Hutton came to study at Burren College of Art in 2008. Since moving from
the USA her work has featured in a number of exhibitions including Sculpture
in Context, Dublin; ecosynthesis/ecosynthesis, Contemporary Art Torino,
Italy; and Out of a Box, 126, Galway.

The exhibition runs at the Burren College of Art Gallery
until 24th March. Opening hours 9am – 4pm Monday to Saturday.

February
18th to March 15th 2012‘Hot Sun – Cold Moon’
An exhibition of photography by Carol Kennedy and Ilsa Thielan
Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery

Two artists, Carol Kennedy and Ilsa Thielan, join forces
in a stunning exhibition of photography in the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon,
from Saturday the 18th of February to Thursday, the 15th of March 2012.
Both follow their intuition to capture the essence of moments precious
to them.

Ilsa Thielan’s exhibited work is a homage to the
people of the Sahara, who she met when travelling to the Festival au Desert
about 65 kilometers beyond the legendary town of Timbuktu way out in the
vastness of the Sahara. Under a scorching hot sun she camped with them
capturing unforgettable moments of desert life and friendship. With her
camera she works in a gentle way as if part of her body, her tool, her
paint brush. Her portraits radiate a vibrant, passionate energy as well
as a lovely spirit. Ilsa’s desert scenes have a mystical remoteness
like her camel rider “He came from afar” or her camp “at
the edge of the night” where a lone tree reaches out to tents and
camels in haunting twilight. Poetry she wrote in the desert accompanies
the exhibition.

And there are Carol Kennedy’s nocturnal moonscapes
creating an amazing contrast to the colourful Saharan scenes. Though Carol’s
fascinating photographs are taken in Ireland, the same cold moon is moving
through the night sky in the Sahara. Carol captures the essence of the
ephemeral moment one has to respond instantly to or loose it, her camera
merely acting as an extension of herself. There are the fine branches
of a tree touching a full white moon as if gently stroking a gem stone,
or the moon is mysteriously partly hidden in the dark of a landscape.
Carol captures glimpses of nature at night in her photographs weaving
through the exhibition like another kind of poetry.

The exhibition is opened by artist Marie Connole on Saturday,
18th of February, 4 p.m. Everybody welcome! It runs until 15th of March
2012 in the Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co. Clare.
Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays 12 - 4 p.m.

Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery
065 707 1630

February 17th to March 15th'Re/Imagining Birth'
An exhibition by Martina Hynan
The Red Couch Space, Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery

Re/Imagining Birth
This work imagines how birth was seen through the eyes of women in Ireland
before medical intervention became the norm. It engages with the empowering
possibilities associated with early birth traditions and weaves renewed
connections across cultures. Re/Imagining Birth is part of my on-going
work on the visual culture of birth in Ireland that I began in 2008 with
Keeping Mum, Community Art Project and am pursuing through my PhD research
at UCD.

The viewer is invited to gaze upon ancient traditional
birth spaces taken from Sheela-na-gig imagery and the Mandorla tradition.
A Mandorla is made up of two separate circles coming together to form
an almond-shaped symbol of birth. The word mandorla is taken from the
Latin for almond. This balanced sacred space has provided women with a
powerful way of visualizing birth. My work seeks to continue this ancient
tradition into the future.
Martina Hynan